Sky School Musical

From the moment we found out we were finalists in the Sky 1 School Musical competition, to the moment the curtain went up at the Novello Theatre in the heart of London’s West End, we have been on an extraordinary journey which we will never ever forget. There have been so many amazing moments along the way, its difficult to pick out the highlights. From working with internationally renowned voice, dance and drama experts, to showcasing our extraordinarily talented school on national television, it has been a once in a lifetime experience that has put our school firmly on the map, and I couldn’t be prouder…. Here are my memories of this magical journey…

When Mrs Dutfield took the call that all of us hoped for, but none of us expected, the sense of joy was unparalleled. We had beaten off competition from over 500 schools and made it into the final ten. We still faced an uphill struggle, battling against nine other ultra talented schools, all eager to impress and determined to win.

After finding out that we were down to the final 3 schools, the team, its supporters and staff made the trip to Granada studios in Manchester to take part in the live sing-offs. I was busy managing a school skiing trip to Italy, and receiving regular updates as the crew progressed through the day from Green Room, to dress rehearsal and eventually the show itself. After a stunning rendition of (my favourite) Circle of Life, and a high energy interpretation of ‘Rockin Robin’, Duncan James finally announced the news we had all been waiting for…We had done it! Wallasey School was going to be Sky 1’s School Musical School 2009! I believe the atmosphere was electric, with tears of joy and cheers that broke the sound barrier.

I took the call during our homeward journey, just as we were going into the Mont Blanc tunnel to be exact! A few tantalising lines and the phone went dead, a whole half-hour until I heard the news in full. To say I was ecstatic is an understatement.

Secret sound checks, cloak and dagger phone calls and the entire lead cast of Grease turning up to do a surprise assembly, it was no surprise that nerves were on edge. Ever since the school heard the momentous news that we ‘had done it’ and we were, officially the Sky 1’s School Musical winning school 2009, speculation about the chosen musical had reached fever pitch. Fuelled by a few ‘red herrings’, every possibility from Oliver to Okalahoma had been tabled as possibilities. So when Duncan James, Ray Quinn and his fellow West End stars surprised a packed school assembly back in July with a stunning rendition of the Grease classic, Grease is the Word, the place went wild! Sound barriers were broken and hundreds of hearts fluttered when Ray and the gang strutted their stuff in full stage gear. Hysteria ensued and the whole school was well and truly gripped by Grease fever.

Following the end of examinations, weeks of exhausting auditions, castings and rehearsals followed. The whole school was buzzing with excitement. Classrooms were commandeered, and make-shift canteens were erected and Mentorn, the production team making the series and its School Musical team decamped to Wallasey! Yes, there were lows, some performers weren’t lucky enough to make it through and get the parts they wanted. But there were massive highs too – discovering previously unknown talent, unveiling our world class West End dance and vocal coaches in the form of Stacey Haines and Zoe Tyler, and the simple joy of knowing we beat off stiff competition to be here.

And so the moment arrived. On a sultry Sunday in August half of Wallasey travelled to London’s Theatreland, full of nerves, excitement and expectation for the climax of our School Musical journey. Myself and Mrs Duffy flew back from Italy, and along with other esteemed guests and VIP’s including, Angela Eagle - Minister for Work and Pensions and Wallasey MP, Steve Maddox - Chief Executive Wirral LA, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Wirral - Councillor Alan Jennings and Mrs Cathy Jennings, our beloved West End coaches and none other than one of the worlds most esteemed choreographers, Ms Arlene Philips herself.

We donned our glad rags and took our seats at the Novello Theatre and waited for the show to begin. What happened next was simply spellbinding, and one of the proudest moments in my teaching career…. To find out for yourself, tune into the shows due to be aired from Sunday, August 30th, Sky 1 7pm.

Why it’s Grease Lightening!!

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